This School, which falls into the Higher Polytechnic Education subsystem, works in the field of advanced level training in the Arts. The Schools identity lies in Drawing, which is the founding and transversal area of all the artistic training that, since 1983, in the then Árvore Cooperative for Higher Artistic Training, was proposed for the courses delivered here. Conscious of the development and cultural and conceptual transformations in such a broad Arts universe, significant steps were made in the establishment of its Scientific and Cultural Plan that emphasises Design, New Design and Communication Technologies, and Heritage as areas of training to be developed. The Postgraduate Courses proposed in recent years have constituted an important strategy in the gradual consolidation of this plan, having opened up an opportunity to tackle these areas. The possibility offered to higher education in Portugal of ensuring qualifications within Europe has provided an opportunity for the School to develop new proposals for higher artistic training according to the principles defined by the Bologna Process. The new study cycles for Bachelor s and Master s Degrees offer an artistic training based on a contemporary vision of Art that presupposes increasing professionalism amongst graduates in these areas.

The Escola Superior Artística do Porto (Guimarães) falls under the auspices of the Oporto Higher Arts Education Cooperative (CESAP), a non-profit foundation created in May 1982, legalised by Deed published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), series III, no. 202, on 1^st September 1982, and having executive authorisation since 1990, according to Ministerial Order no. 891/90 of 24^th September 1990. The School began its activity, however, in the Academic Year 1983-84, under the designation Árvore I Cooperative for Higher Artistic Training, CRL, in the premises of the Cultural and Recreation Association Convívio, as the result of a protocol between the respective directors of the Cooperative and the Association.

From the Academic Year 1984-85, the School relocated to its present premises, in Rua Francisco Agra 92, on the edge of the Historic Centre of the City, officially occupying an old building that was originally designed as a school.

Direction: Maria José Laranjeiro Pita da Costa (Director)
Academic Board: Rui Paulo da Conceição Duque Maurício (Chair)
Board of Studies: Joana Paradinha (Chair)
Assembly of Representatives: Amadeu Santos (Chair)

Courses

Bachelor of Arts/Drawing
Course Director: Paulo Leocádio

Bachelor of Arts/Comics & Illustration
Course Director: Maria Isabel Carvalho

Bachelor of Arts/Multimedia Design
Course Director: Maria João Branco

Master of Arts/Illustration
Course Director: Rui Maurício

Master of Arts/Digital Animation
Course Director: To be announced